Osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells regulated by osteoblasts under EMF exposure in a co-culture system

This study examined the osteogenic effect of electromagnetic fields （EMF） under the simulated in vivo conditions. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） and rat osteoblasts were co-cultured and exposed to 50 Hz, 1.0 mT EMF for different terms. Unexposed single-cultured BMSCs and osteoblasts were set as controls. Cell proliferation features of single-cultured BMSCs and osteoblasts were studied by using a cell counting kit （CCK-8）. For the co-culture system, cells in each group were randomly chosen for alkaline phosphatase （ALP） staining on the day 7. When EMF exposure lasted for 14 days, dishes in each group were randomly chosen for total RNA extraction and von Kossa staining. The mRNA expression of osteogenic markers was detected by using real-time PCR. Our study showed that short-term EMF exposure （2 h/day） could obviously promote prolifera- tion of BMSCs and osteoblasts, while long-term EMF （8 h/day） could promote osteogenic differen- tiation significantly under co-cultured conditions. Under EMF exposure, osteogenesis-related mRNA expression changed obviously in co-cultured and single-cultured cells. It was noteworthy that most osteogenic indices in osteoblasts were increased markedly after co-culture except Bmp2, which was increased gradually when ceils were exposed to EMF. Compared to other indices, the expression of Bmp2 in BMSCs was increased sharply in both single-cultured and co-cultured groups when they were exposed to EMF. The mRNA expression of Bmp2 in BMSCs was approximately four times higher in 8-h EMF group than that in the unexposed group. Our results suggest that Bmp2-mediated cellular interaction induced by EMF exposure might play an important role in the osteogenic differ- entiation of BMSCs.     

Allogeneic compact bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation increases survival of mice exposed to lethal total body irradiation: a potential immunological mechanism

Background Radiation-induced injury after accidental or therapeutic total body exposure to ionizing radiation has serious pathophysiological consequences,and currently no effective therapy exists.This study was designed to investigate whether transplantation of allogeneic murine compact bone derived-mesenchymal stem cells （CB-MSCs） could improve the survival of mice exposed to lethal dosage total body irradiation （TBI）,and to explore the potential immunoprotective role of MSCs.Methods BALB/c mice were treated with 8 Gy TBI,and then some were administered CB-MSCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice.Survival rates and body weight were analyzed for 14 days post-irradiation.At three days post-irradiation,we evaluated IFN-Y and IL-4 concentrations; CD4＋CD25＋Foxp3＋ regulatory T cell （Treg） percentage; CXCR3,CCR5,and CCR7 expressions on CD3＋T cells; and splenocyte T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA levels.CB-MSC effects on bone marrow hemopoiesis were assessed via colony-forming unit granulocyte/macrophage （CFU-GM） assay.Results After lethal TBI,compared to non-transplanted mice,CB-MSC-transplanted mice exhibited significantly increased survival,body weight,and CFU-GM counts of bone marrow cells （P＜0.05）,as well as higher Treg percentages,reduced IFN-Y,CXCR3 and CCR5 down-regulation,and CCR7 up-regulation.CB-MSC transplantation suppressed Th1 immunity.Irradiated splenocytes directly suppressed CFU-GM formation from bone marrow cells,and CB-MSC co-culture reversed this inhibition.Conclusion Allogeneic CB-MSC transplantation attenuated radiation-induced hematopoietic toxicity,and provided immunoprotection by alleviating lymphocyte-mediated CFU-GM inhibition,expanding Tregs,regulating T cell chemokine receptor expressions,and skewing the Th1/Th2 balance toward anti-inflammatory Th2 polarization.     

Advances in mesenchymal stem cells combined with traditional Chinese medicine therapy for liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a primary cause of liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocarcinoma. Recently, the usage of mesenchyrnal stem cells （MSCs） has been investigated to improve liver fibrosis. It has been reported that the differentiation, proliferation and migration of MSCs can be regulated by traditional Chinese medicine treatment; however, the mechanisms are still unclear. In this article, the authors review the characteristics of MSCs such as multidirectional differentiation and homing, and its application in animal experiments and clinical trials. The authors also list areas that need further investigation, and look at the future prospects of clinical application of MSCs.     

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a better cell source for nervous system regeneration

Background In order to suggest an ideal source of adult stem cells for the treatment of nervous system diseases,MSCs from human adipose tissue and bone marrow were isolated and studied to explore the differences with regard to cell morphology,surface markers,neuronal differentiation capacity,especially the synapse structure formation and the secretion of neurotrophic factors.Methods The neuronal differentiation capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue （hADSCs） and bone marrow （hBMSCs） was determined based on nissl body and synapse structure formation,and neural factor secretion function.hADSCs and hBMSCs were isolated and differentiated into neuron-like cells with rat brain-conditioned medium,a potentially rich source of neuronal differentiation promoting signals.Specific neuronal proteins and neural factors were detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis,respectively.Results Flow cytometric analysis showed that both cell types had similar phenotypes.Cell growth curves showed that hADSCs proliferated more quickly than hBMSCs.Both kinds of cells were capable of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.The morphology of hADSCs and hBMSCs changed during neuronal differentiation and displayed neuronlike cell appearance after 14 days＇ differentiation.Both hADSCs and hBMSCs were able to differentiate into neuron-like cells based on their production of neuron specific proteins including β-tubulin-Ⅲ,neuron-specific enolase （NSE）,nissl bodies,and their ability to secrete brain derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and nerve growth factor （NGF）.Assessment of synaptop hysin and growth-associated protein-43 （GAP-43） suggested synapse structure formation in differentiated hADSCs and hBMSCs.Conclusions Our results demonstrate that hADSCs have neuronal differentiation potential similar to hBMSC,but with a higher proliferation capacity than hBMSC.Adipose tissue is abundant,easily available and would be a potential ideal source of adult stem cells for neural-related clinical research and application.     

Differentiation of marrow-derived islet-like cells and their effects on diabetic rats

In recent years, islet transplantation for diabetes has shown signs of the treatment efficacy, but its application is limited due to lack of donor organizations, sources and immune rejection. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） have become a new resource of islet cell substitutes. One focus of the current research is the application of a specific inducing agent or a culture system to get directed differentiation of BMSCs, which may have part characteristics of islet cells and then be used in autologous transplantation for the treatment of diabetes.     

Application of tissue engineering in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence is one of the most common diseases in urology. The main treatments for stress urinary incontinence are pharmacotherapy, physicobehavioral therapy and surgery.However, the results of present methods are not satisfactory. Tissue engineering is a newly emerging technology that may provide a novel method for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.     

Evaluation of CD24 as a marker to rapidly define the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and its differentiation in human nucleus pulposus

Background Recent studies have indicated that human nucleus pulposus contain mesenchymal stem cells （NP-MSCs）. However, the immunophenotypic variation of NP-MSCs in vitro was unclear. The present study was conducted to address the immunophenotypic variation of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus under continuous proliferation in vitro and show the difference between mesenchymal stem cells and nucleus pulposus cell. Methods Tissue samples were obtained from thoracolumbar burst fracture patients and degenerative disc disease patients who underwent discectomy and fusion procedures. Flow cytometric and laser scanning confocal microscope （LSCM） were used to detect the variation of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus which were expressing CD105 and CD24 in condition with or without transforming growth factor [31 （TGF-131）. Results More than 90% of the analyzed primary cells of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus fulfilled the general immunophenotyping criteria for MSCs, such as CD44, CD105 and CD29, but the marker of mature NP cells characterized as CD24 was negative. In continuous cultures, the proportion of mesenchymal stem cells which were expressing CD44, CD105 and CD29 in nucleus pulposus gradually decreased. The mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus cells were positive for CD105 and CD29, with slight positivity for CD44. The CD24 expression gradually increased in proliferation. Bi- parametric flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy confirmed the presence of cells which were expressing CD105 and CD24 independently, and only a small part of cells expressed both CD105 and CD24 simultaneously. TGF-{31 could stimulate mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus to express CD24. Conclusions Non-degenerative and degenerative NP contains mesechymal stem cells. The variation of CD24 can be used as a marker to identify the NP-MSCs differentiation into NP-like cells.     

Electrophysiological characteristics of cardiomyocyte-like cells from rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells by four inductors

Background Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cel induced by different inductors individually or collectively. In s （BMdMSCs） can differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells this study, by inducing BMdMSCs with p53 inhibitor （p-fifty three inhibitor-alpha, PFT-a）, 5-azacytidine （5-AZA）, angiotensin-II （Ang-II） and bone morphogenic protein-2 （BMP-2） we compared the influences of four inductors on the differentiation of rat BMdMSCs into caridomyocyte like-cells. Methods BMdMSCs were collected from the bone marrow of Sprague Dawley rats and after the fourth generation, the purified cells were divided into five groups： 5-AZA （10 μmol/L）, Ang-II （0.1 μmol/L）, PFT-α （20 μmol/L）, BMP-2 （10μg/L） and control. The purity of the BMdMSCs and the cardiac differentiation rates were obtained by flow cytometry. The expressions of cTnT in the BMdMSCs after four weeks of induction were detected by immunofluorescence and the expressions of cTnl and Cx43 detected by Western blotting. The green fluorescent levels reflecting intracellular calcium transient function were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The total potassium current levels of cells were measured on patch clamp. Results All inductors affected to a different degree the differentiation of BMdMSCs into cardiomyocyte-like cells and the expressions of cTnT, cTnl and Cx43 suggesting that the combination of inductors could be an improved method for cardiac regenerative medicine. In addition, the total potassium current level and calcium transient in PFT-a cardiomyocyte-like cells were higher than other groups. Conclusions The cardiac differentiation of BMdMSCs induced by PFT-α, 5-AZA, Ang-II and BMP-2 has been improved at different levels. PFT-a has an advantage of differentiation rate and electrophysiological function over other inductors.     

Future application of hair follicle stem cells: capable in differentiation into sweat gland cells

Background Sweat glands (SGs) can not regenerate after complete destruction in the severe skin injury,so it is important to find a ideal stem cell source in order to regenerate functional SGs.Hair foll...     

Upregulated heme oxygenase-1 expression of mouse mesenchymal stem cells resists to chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression

Background Bone marrow hematopoietic function suppression is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.After chemotherapy,the bone marrow structure gets destroyed and the cells died,which might cause the hematopoietic function suppression.Heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） is a key enzyme of antioxidative metabolism that associates with cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis.The aim of this study was to restore or resist the bone marrow from the damage of chemotherapy by the HO-1 expression of mouse mesenchymal stem cells （mMSCs） homing to the mice which had the chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression.Methods One hundred and sixty female Balb/c mice （6-8-weeks old） were randomly divided into four groups.Each group was performed in 40 mice.The control group was intraperitoneally injected for 5 days and tail intravenously injected on the 6th day with normal saline.The chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression was established by intraperitoneally injecting cyclophosphamide （CTX） into the mice which performed as the chemotherapy group.The mMSCs were tail intravenously injected into 40 chemotherapically damaged mice which served as the mMSCs group.The difference between the HO-1 group and the mMSCs group was the injected cells.The HO-1 group was tail intravenously injected into the mMSCs that highly expressed HO-1 which was stimulated by hemin.The expression of HO-1 was analyzed by Western blotting and RT-PCR.Cell proliferation was measured using the 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Histopathologic examinations were performed 1 week after injection.Results Compared with the control group,the expression levels of HO-1 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the HO-1 group （all P ＜0.05）,even obviously than the mMSCs group.CTX treatment induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation.After injected,the white blood cell （WBC）,red blood cell （RBC） and platelet （PLT） declined fast and down to the bottom at the 7th day.The bone marrow structure was destroyed incomplete.In vitro,the survival rate of cells in chemotherapy group was less than 50％ after 24 hours.In contrast,mMSCs could do a favor to the cellular cleavage and proliferation.They slowed down the cell mortality and more than 50％ cells survived after 24 hours.The effects of blocking apoptosis and bone marrow recovery could be more effective in the HO-1 group.In the HO-1 group,it had observed that the bone marrow structure became complete and the hemogram closed to normal at 7th day.Conclusions HO-1 played an important role in promoting the recovery of CTX-induced hematopoietic damage.We suclgest that HO-1 is able to restore the functions of chemotherapy-induced hematopoietic damage.     

Amplification of functional myeloid-derived suppressor cells during stem cell mobilization induced by granulocyte colony-stimulation-factor

The effects of granulocyte colony-stimulation-factor （G-CSF） on stem cell mobilization and its impact on the amplification of myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs） of donor mice were ex- amined. A mouse model of stem cell mobilization was established by consecutive subcutaneous injec- tion of 100 μg/kg G-CSF for 5 days. The blood from the donor mice was routinely examined during mobilization. Stem cells and MDSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. The immunosuppressive mole- cules derived from MDSCs in serum and spleen, including hydrogen dioxide （H202） and nitric oxide （NO）, and the activity of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） were determined during the mobilization. Apop- tosis of T lymphocytes was assessed by using Annexin-V/PI. During stem cell mobilization, the number of lymphocytes and white blood cells in the peripheral blood was increased, and peaked on the 4th day. The number of stem cells in G-CSF-treated mice was significantly greater than that in controls （P〈0.01）. The expansions of MSDCs were also observed after G-CSF mobilization, with a more notable rate of growth in the peripheral blood than in the spleen. The activity of NOS and the production of NO were increased in the donor mice, and the serum H202 levels were approximately 4-fold greater than the con- trois. Consequently, apoptosis of T lymphocytes was increased and showed a positive correlation with the elevated percentage of MDSCs. It was concluded that G-CSF could provide sufficient peripheral blood stem cells for transplantation. Exogenous administration of G-CSF caused the accumulation of MDSCs in the peripheral blood and the spleen, which could lead to apoptosis ofT lymphocytes and may offer a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of graft versus host disease.     

Preparation of PLLA/bpV（pic） Microspheres and Their Effect on Nerve Cells

In this study, we prepared PLLA/bpV（pic） microspheres, a bpV（pic） controlled release system and examined their ability to protect nerve cells and promote axonal growth. PLLA microspheres were prepared by employing the o/w single emulsification-evaporation technique. Neural stem cells and dorsal root ganglia were divided into 3 groups in terms of the treatment they received： a routine medium group（cultured in DMEM）, a PLLA microsphere group（DMEM containing PLLA microspheres alone） and a PLLA/bpV（pic） group [DMEM containing PLLA/bpV（pic） microspheres]. The effects of PLLA/bpV（pic） microspheres were evaluated by the live-dead test and measurement of axonal length. Our results showed that PLLA/bpV（pic） granulation rate was（88.2±5.6）%; particle size was（16.8±3.1）%, drug loading was（4.05±0.3）%; encapsulation efficiency was（48.5±1.8）%. The release time lasted for 30 days. In PLLA/bpV（pic） microsphere group, the cell survival rate was（95.2 ±4.77）%, and the length of dorsal root ganglion（DRG） was 718±95 μm, which were all significantly greater than those in ordinary routine medium group and PLLA microsphere group. This preliminary test results showed the PLLA/bpV（pic） microspheres were successfully prepared and they could promote the survival and growth of neural cells in DRG.     

Effects of notch-1 down-regulation on malignant behaviors of breast cancer stem cells

This study examined the effect of Notch-1 signaling on malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating breast cancer stem cells （BCSCs）. BCSCs were enriched by using serum-free me- dium and knocked out of Notch-1 by using a lentiviral vector. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting were used to detect the Notch-1 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines and BCSCs, and fl0w cytometry to detect the proportion of BCSCs in BCSC spheres. The BCSC self-renewal, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined by the tumor microsphere-forming assay and transwell assay and after xenotransplantation. The results showed that the Notch-1 silencing reduced the number of BCSC spheres, the proportion of BCSCs, and the number of cells penetrating through the transwell membrane. It also decreased the size of tumors that were implanted in the nude mice. These results suggest that Notch-1 signaling is intimately linked to the behaviors of BCSCs. Blocking Notch-1 signaling can inhibit the malignant behaviors of BCSCs, which may provide a prom- ising therapeutical approach for breast cancer.     

Chinese herbal medicine Xinfeng Capsule in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis： study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Rheumatoid arthritis （RA）, as a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals. Effective treatment for RA is not yet available because current research does not have a clear understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of RA. Xinfeng Capsule, a patent Chinese herbal medicine, has been used in the treatment of RA in recent years. Despite its reported clinical efficacy, there are no large-sample, multicenter, randomized trials that support the use of Xinfeng Capsule for RA. Therefore, we designed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Xinfeng Capsule in the treatment of RA. METHODS AND DESIGN： This is a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial on the treatment of RA. The participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group at a ratio of 1：1. Participants in the experimental group will receive Xinfeng Capsule and a pharmaceutical placebo （imitation leflunomide）. The control group will receive leflunomide and an herbal placebo （imitation Xinfeng Capsule）. The American College of Rheumatology （ACR） Criteria for RA will be used to measure the efficacy of the Xinfeng Capsule. The primary outcome measure will be the percentage of study participants who achieve an ACR 20% response rate （ACR20）, which will be measured every 4 weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes will include the ACR50 and ACR70 responses, the side effects of the medications, the Disease Activity Score 28, RA biomarkers, quality of life, and X-rays of the hands and wrists. The first four of the secondary outcomes will be measured every 4 weeks and the others will be measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. DISCUSSION： The result of this trial will help to evaluate whether Xinfeng Capsule is effective and safe in the treatment of RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION： This trial has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. The identifier is N CT01774877.     

Saffron （Crocus sativus L.） and major depressive disorder： a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Due to safety concerns and side effects of many antidepressant medications, herbal psychopharmacology research has increased, and herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to prescribed medications for the treatment of major depressive disorder （MDD）. Of these, accumulating trials reveal positive effects of the spice saffron （Crocus sativus L.） for the treatment of depression. A comprehensive and statistical review of the clinical trials examining the effects of saffron for treatment of MDD is warranted. OBJECTIVE： The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials examining the effects of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression among participants with MDD. SEARCH STRATEGY： We conducted electronic and non-electronic searches to identify all relevant randomized, double-blind controlled trials. Reference lists of all retrieved articles were searched for relevant studies. INCLUSION CRITERIA： The criteria for study selection included the following： （1） adults （aged 18 and older） with symptoms of depression, （2） randomized controlled trial, （3） effects of saffron supplementation on depressive symptoms examined, and （4） study had either a placebo control or antidepressant comparison group. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS： Using random effects modeling procedures, we calculated weighted mean effect sizes separately for the saffron supplementation vs placebo control groups, and for the saffron supplementation vs antidepressant groups. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using the Jadad score. The computer software Comprehensive Meta- analysis 2 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS： Based on our pre-specified criteria, five randomized controlled trials （n = 2 placebo controlled trials, n = 3 antidepressant controlled trials） were included in our review. A large effect size was found for saffron supplementation vs placebo control in treating depressive symptoms （M ES = 1.62, P 〈 0.001）, revealing that saffron supplementation significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to the placebo control. A null effect size was evidenced between saffron supplementation and the antidepressant groups （M ES = -0.15） indicating that both treatments were similarly effective in reducing depression symptoms. The mean Jadad score was 5 indicating high quality of trials. CONCLUSION： Findings from clinical trials conducted to date indicate that saffron supplementation can improve symptoms of depression in adults with MDD. Larger clinical trials, conducted by research teams outside of Iran, with long-term follow-ups are needed before firm conclusions can be made regarding saffron＇s efficacy and safety for treating depressive symptoms.